In a spell of decent dry but windy weather last week, I decided to put in a couple of brief appearances at Conder Pool and Cockersand to take a look at Plover Scar over a high tide.
Conder Pool.
Both sites were a little short of anything to inspire, the first visit to Conder Pool was a non-starter as it turned out to be a management day. A tractor of sorts was in the east end, with a robotic mower cutting the grass bank on the south side, the resulting birdless pool was no surprise, but calling back 2 hours later, 16 Greenshank were present, with 14 Little Grebe to note.
Cockersand.
Not particularly overjoyed with the Plover Scar experience, but good to see 125 Turnstone, 36 Dunlin, 21 Ringed Plover, 12 Oystercatcher, and a lone Grey Plover which took star prize in my book, 25 Eider were off Plover Scar.
Fourteen of the twenty five male and female Eider in various dress, were on the choppy sea.
Insects.
There was some interest with insects, including the welcome sight of at least 6 Small Tortoiseshell at Cockersand. This sighting was very welcome as the Small Tortoiseshell has two expert opinions that I have been in touch with, both agree the species could have had a population crash.
Not one of the Cockersand butterflies, this one was on Verbena in our garden in August 2022.
A female Common Darter was on the footpath briefly before flying off over the fields, probably my last of the year. But this was my second sighting of a coastal dragonfly, a male Common Darter seen here at Cockersand on the shingle, by an amazing coincidence 11 years ago to the day on 4 November 2013.
I also found an interesting insect on the shingle in front of Bank Houses Farm. The best suggestion I have is that it is a Mottled Grasshopper....I'm not 100% on this ID and any other suggestions are welcome!
Well, I am not an expert but I agree with you that it seems to be a mottled grasshopper,, You came home with a great nature experience with many species and great photos (and films as well) even though it didn´t start so well with the tractors. Best regards Lasse
ReplyDeleteWell that's satisfying that you think the hopper is the same as me. Please don't take my complaints too serious....I occasionally like a good whinge, it clears my head!
ReplyDeleteKind Regards....Pete.
A nice species list. I look at your birds saying year tick, year tick, that's a yea tick. If only I could get a few of your good birds. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your comment, I come to realise the bird diversity south/north, is greater than I ever thought. As for your....'if only I could get a few of your good birds'....ditto.
DeleteThanks Marc....Pete.
Nice header picture of the waders on Plover Scar.
ReplyDeleteYes Small Tortoiseshell scarce this year along with many others, worrying.
Could the grasshopper be Field Grasshopper due to wings extending beyond the knees and lack of clubbed antennae - just a thought.
Thanks for the information.
Ian Mitchell
Having seen your ID book with comprehensive info and illustrations on grasshoppers, I'm nearer to 100% sure it is a Mottled Grasshopper I found at Cockersand.
DeleteThanks Ian....Pete.
Good stuff
DeleteHello Pete,
ReplyDeletethe lawn is mowed here from time to time, but the wildlife has gotten used to the noise and usually comes back later. The hoverfly looks great, but I can't help you with the grasshopper, great photos.
Greetings Frank
'The hoverfly looks great, but I can't help you with the grasshopper, great photos'....Thanks for looking in on B2B again Frank, your compliments are noted and appreciated.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.